Elevator



E. L. GALE, SR.

ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.28, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1- @QTJX'ZLA,

ATTORNEY E. L. GALE, SR.

ELEVATOR. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 28, .1916.

- Patented Feb. 22,1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 5 S 2 g N s 7 Bat-X ATTORN EY UNITED TAT S PATENT OFFICE.-

ERNEST L. GALE, SR, or YONKERS, NEW YOEk, AssIoNoR T orIs'ELEvM e COMPANY, or JERSEY crrY, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION or NEW JERSEY.

ELEVATOR.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ERNEST L. GALE, Sn, a citizen of the United States, residing in Yonkers, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Elevators, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to elevators, and more particularly to electrical apparatus to operate and control the elevator car.

The object of the invention is to provide means automatically to level an elevator car with the desired landing in the event of the car over-running or under-running the land- The invention in general, consists in employing a usual electric hoisting motor, to-

gether with a standard type of hoisting and trolled in'a novel manner by the automatic car-leveling apparatus, which may be termed supplementary apparatus to control'the elevator motor.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically a typical automatic push-button controlled elevator, together with my improved automatic car leveling apparatus; Fig. 2 illustrates a modified arrangement of electrical circuits controlled by a Car switch together with the improved automatic car leveling apparatus.

The electric hoisting motor M, may be connected to the elevator car 0, through any of the well known systems of gearing and roping. The motor illustrated herein is of the compound wound type, it being provided with a series and shunt field winding, S

accelerating magnet F operates in a? well known manner to cut out the motor starting resistance E and series field winding S.

Specification of Letters Patent; Patented 1921 Application filed December 28, 1916. Serial No. 139,258.

Different landings or stopping points are designated L, L and L car push-buttons 4C, 4', 4", hallpush buttons, 5, 5, 5", door contacts d, d", floor magnet relay switches 6, 6', 6", non-interference magnet '7, car holding-magnet 8, floor controller switches 8, 8', 8, 8". The elements thus far designated are well known and have a well known mode of operation.

Electrical mains supplying a relatively high voltage, say for example, 220 or 440 volts, are designated and Coming now particularly to the supplementary controlling apparatus which in conjunction with certain elements heretofore pointed out, is employed automatically to level the elevator car with a desired landing, it comprises a dynamotor G, of awell known type, combining both motor and generator action, by having'an armature with two separate windings, independent commutators, and one magnetic field winding designated G. The dynamotor is controlled to rotate in one direction only, and forms a supplementary source of supply for the elevator motor M, the generator windin s supply across its brushes 9, 9, a relatively low voltage, say for example or fvolts, and the motor windings of the dynamotor being supplied through the brushes 10, 10,

I from the high voltage mains and An electro-magnet switch A, may in a sense be termed a changeover switch, so called, since for two difl'erent positions which the switch may assume, it connects the elevator motor reversing switch contacts, independentlyavith the high and low voltage supply mains.

There are two cams, l2 and 13, positioned in the elevator hatchway at each floor landing. The cams form two series arranged in different vertical planes. The cams 12 and 13 are adapted to co-act with switches 12', 13, respectively,.these switches controlling electrical connections between the .elevator motor and the low voltage supply circuit, to

effect the automatic operation of the car in an ascending or descending direction, depending on the position of the car relatively to the cams.

Operation of the apparatus as a whole and through a complete cycle of operation will now be given.

With the parts as illustrated in the drawing, the car is at rest, level with the second the reversing switches.

floor landing. Let us assume now that it is desired to bring the car tothe first floor landing,'by pressing the car push-button 4.

' This-operatlon closes a circuit for the winding 14 of the reversing switch D, as follows: From main, to wire 15, through the door contacts to wire 16, one wlnding of the non-interference magnet 7 to wire 17, winding of protecting magnet 8 to wire 18, pushbutton 4 to wire 60, and thence to reversing switch winding 14 and the line, by way of the relay 6 and floor controller contacts 8. The relay 6 closes its contacts which maintains a circuit for the reversing switch winding 14, when the push-button is released,

The reversing switch winding 14 now receiving current, closes its contacts, the change-over switch A remains as shown, and the elevator motor M, field windings S and S, and brake winding 3 are thereby connected to the high voltage mains and The motor circuit may be traced as follows:

from the main, through contacts 19, wire 20, contacts 21 to wire 22, through motor M,

wires 23, 24, contacts 25, Wires 26, 27', contacts 28, wire 29, through starting resistance E and series field winding S, to line. The shunt field and brake circuits are closed through auxiliary contacts 30 controlled by The brake shoe is now released by the magnet 3 and the motor M rotates to start the car in a descending direction, the motor being gradually accelerated to normal or full speed-by the operation or the accelerating magnet in gradually cutting out the starting resistance and series field winding; It will be mentioned here that the noninterference magnet operates to open its contacts and thereby open-circuit the supply I wire 7 to the hall push-buttons, and the relay 8 operates to close its contacts and so prevent operation of the car by the hall-buttons until after the car is stopped, the hatchway door opened and again closed. The above statement for the function of the elements 7 and 8 is thought sufficient, since the,

circuits controlled thereby are well known.

The elevator car now. descends and brings the switch 13' in range of the cam 13', which closes the said'sw'itch. The switch 13 closes a parallel circuit for the winding 14, this circuit including the winding 11, and being independent of the floor relay and floor controller contacts, the circuit being as follows:

from the junction 16, wire 31, to wire 32,-by

Way of a series of auxiliary contacts 33, controlled by the floor relay contacts, winding 11, to wire 34, switch 13, to wire 34', winding 14, and thence to 'the, line. This parallel circuit closed through the switch 13', to the winding 14 of the reversing switch prevents the reversing opening contacts, which would otherwise .the dynamotor.

.vator motor M,

switch D from I happen when the floor controller operates to open its contacts 8. Now it will be noted here, that the floor controller contacts for each floor may be set relatively with the car leveling cams and switches for each floor, so as to open their contacts directly after the closing of one or the other of the switches 12 and 13' by their respective cams. By this relative arrangement of parts, the reversing switch D is maintained closed during the change-over period, the effect being to keep the shunt field of the elevator motor energized and the brake shoe maintained in its already raised or released position, during the said period.

7 he winding 11 now receiving current, raises the change-over switch A, disconnects the switch D from the high voltage supply mains, and connects the said switch D, or in effect, the elevator motor M, with the low voltage supply mains the circuit being traced as follows: from the brush 9 to main a resistance 35, wire 36,'contacts 21, wire 22, through elevator motor M, to wires 23, 24, contacts 25, wires 26, '27, through switch A, now in'raised position, and to wire, connected to the brush 9' of The brushes 10, ,10 of the dynamotor together with its field winding G are connected with the high voltage supply mains and by the switch A, the circuit being as follows: main, through left hand contacts of switch A, in raised pothereof delivering to the elevator motor M, a low voltage current, which operates the elevator motor M at a certain definite speed I which gives to the elevator car, a comparatively slow rate of movement, which is maintained until the our platform comes level with the landing L, whereupon the switch 13' rides ofi the cam 13 and is opened by a spring 13 the dropping of switch A to initial position,

and the opening of the reversing switch D.

In this manner all the electrical circuits to the elevator motor, brake winding, dynamotor, etc., are opened, and the brake shoe is applied to bring the elevator car to rest.

It will be pointed out here, that if at the time the connections to the elevator motor M are changed over'from the high to the low voltage supply, the elevator motor may be generated in excess of the dynamotor, the

resistance 35 together with the dynamotor now being in a closed circuit with the elewill in effect produce a dynamic braking action to slow the elevator motor down, until the speed of the latter is substantially equal to that generated by the Opening switch 13 effects system and the automatic car leveling apof operation is unnecessary.

dynamotor, at which time, the first arm'des- 12 coacts with the cam 12, thus closing the switch, which in turn effects the closing of the reversing ,switch U, and raising ofthe change-over switch -A. In this manner the dynamotor is put in operation, and the elevator motor'operated in a'reverse direction to that just described,- thereby causing the elevator car to ascend at a slow rate of movement which is maintained until the car is returned level with the floor landing. The switch 12' then rides off the cam 12, and is opened by a spring 12". Opening the switch 12' effects the stopping of the carin the same manner as heretofore described in connection with the switch 13.

The essential elements of the push-button paratus operate conjointl to control the elevator car for ascending direction of travel substantially in the same manner as has just been described for the descending directionof travel, these elements furthermore, operating to control the car, in the same manner for b0th,,the car and hallbutton operations. It is thought therefore that a, detailed description for these modes It is preferable, although that the main feed or common wires 31 and 32 leading to the car leveling switches 12',

13', be dominated by the door contacts d,

since this arrangement prevents operation of the elevator car by either the car-leveling apparatus or the push-button system, so long as a hatchway door is open, and until all the hatchway doors are closed. Furthermore it is to be noted, that by in.-

cluding in the above circuit, the series of auxiliary contacts 33, controlled by the floor relays 6, 6', 6", makes the car leveling switches 12', 13 ineffective until all the relay contacts are open, the result being to maintain an open circuit in the feed wire 32, until the car is near the particular kind ing at which it is desired to stop.

he floor controller switches 8, 8, 8", 8 may be timed or set so as to open in each instance when the car is level withthe land ing, instead of opening when the car is some distance from the landing as in accordance with the timing heretofore described. This arrangement results in the car operating at full or normal speed until it, is, level with the desired stopping point, the floorcontroller switch then opening its contacts and in this manner disconnecting the elevator versing switches D,

not essential,

motor from the high voltage supply and effecting the application of the brake to stop the car. In the event of the car running or? coasting past the floor level, the car leveling apparatus then operates in the same manner as heretofore described, automatically to return the car at a slow rate of movement, level with the landing.

In Fig. 2, the circuits for the elevator mo- 7 tor controlling apparatus, are controlled by means of a switch H, operable manually from the car, instead of by means of the automatic push button system'of circuits as illustrated in Fig. 1. The dynamotor G is controlled by means of the car leveling cams and switches and in conjunction with the car switch system of circuits, automatically to level the elevator car with any landing in the same manner as heretofore described in connection with-the push-button system of circuits. A point of distinction embodied in Fig. 2 .over that illustrated. in Fig. 1, is to close the circuit to the motor windings of the dynamotor whenever the circuit to the elevator motor is closed. This is accomplished by associatin with each of the rep a pair of auxiliary contacts 43, the topcontacts being connected by wire 44, which is'connected directly to the main, and the bottom contacts being connected by a wire 45, and thence by a common wire 46, which connects to brush 10' of the dynamotor. Brush 10 is connected by a'wire 47, and sectional resistance 40, and wire 49, to the main. With this arrangement the dynamotor is operated, and .in one direction only, each time the elevator motor-is started.v

The car switch H comprisesa pivoted segmental contact 50 controllable by a handle 51. The contact 50 when in a'central position as illustrated, enga as contacts 52, to which are connected a nected ahead of the switch A, to the main. Moving the handle toward the right brings the segment into engagement with a contact 54, closin a circuit to thewinding 14 of the reversing switch D and in this manner the elevator motor .M "is connected to the high voltage mains to operate the car in a I descending direction. Moving the handle to the left brings the segment into engagement with a contact-55, closing a circuit to the winding 14 and in this manner the eleeed wire 53, convator motor M is connected tothe high 'voltis in a central or vertical position. These 1 contacts are included in circuit with a feed wire 58, common to the carleveling switches 12', 13', this wire including the winding 11, which 0 rates the change-over switch A.

With th1s arrangement an operation of the 1 supply mains,

change-over switch A to connect the elevator motor M with the low voltage supply mains is efiected only when the car switch is in a center or neutral switch 12 or 13 in range of the cam 12 or 13. l

It will be noted withregard to both systems of control, that the starting resistance E and series field winding S of the elevator motor, are cut out of-thecircuitof the latter when it is connected with the low voltage the above result being accomplished when the change-over switch A raises, and opens the contacts 28.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electric elevator, the combination with the car, an electric motor to operate the car, a source of current supply'i'or the motor, a motor generator forming a supplementary source or" current supply, the motor end of the current from the first named source of supply, and means to connect the hoisting motor at starting independently with the source's or supply. 2. in an electric elevator, the combination with the car, an electric motor to operate the car, a starting resistance in the circuit or the motor armature, a source of current supply for the motor, a supplementary source of current supply, means to connect the hoisting motor at starting indeenolentlv with the sources oi supnl to eir u i feet in each instance operation of the car in an ascending or descending direction.

3. an electric elevator, the combination with the car, an electric motor to operate the car, a starting resistance in the circuit of the motor armature, a source or" current supply for the motor, means to connect the motor at starting with said source of supply, a supplementarysource of current supply, means to reduce the speed or the motor by connecting it with the supplementary source or current supply, sistance, and means to insert the resistance in the motor circuit whenever in changing over to the supplementary source or supply, the motor generates a voltage that excoeds that of the supplementary source.

in a system at motor control for electric elevators, the combination with the hoisting motor, means supplying energy at olifi erent voltages thereto, a resistance, contacts to control the resistance, and a winding connected across the terminals of the motor armature'operable to open the said contacts to insert the resistance in the motor circuit whenever in changing from the higher to the lower voltage supply, the motor generates a voltage that exceeds the voltage of the lower voltage supply.

5. in an electric elevator, the comhinaposition, with the motor generator receiving an additional re tion' with the car, an electric motor to opcrate the car, a source of current supply for the motor, means to connect the motor with said source of supply, a supplementary source of current supply, and means controllable automatically by the car to connect the means to reverse the motor, means controlled from the car to'connect the reversing means with the high voltage mains, and means connect the motor with the low voltage. supply mains, to eiiect in each instance operation of the motor from start to raise or lower the car. i V 7. in an electric elevator, thecombination with the car, an electric motor 139 op- 'erate the car, supply mains delivering relatively high and low voltages, means to re verse the motor, means controlled fro car to connect the reversing means high voltage mains, and means contionaole automatically by the car to conniect'the motor through the said reversing means, with the low voltagesupply mains to fect operation of the motor to raise or lower the car and level the same with a lar 8. in an electric elevator, the cor Jination with the car, an electric motor crate the car, a starting resistance circuit of the motor armature, independent sources of supply dc aring relatively high and low voltage, a" reversing switch for the motor, and means to co the reversing switch independently said suppl mains, to effect in each in stance operation of the motor from st '9. in an electric elevator, the corn ma 'tion with the car, an electric motor to cperate the car, mains from indie, sources of supply, a reversing switch motor, manual means to control the operation of the reversing switch, means controllahle hy the car to close the rove switch independently of the manual me and means connect the reversing SWltCll independently with the high and low vcltage supply mains.

10. In an electric elevator, the comloination with thecar, an electric motor to opcrate the car, mains delivering relatively highand low voltages, a reversing switch for the motor, means controlled from car .to control the reversing switch, automatic means to control the reversing switch independently of the manual means, to eilectoperation of the car, to raise or lower level with a landing, and means controlled by the automatic means to connect the reversvoltage,

ing switch independently with the high and low voltage supply mains.

11. In an electric elevator, the combinas tion with the car, an electric motor to operate the car, supply mains from independent sources delivering relatively high and low voltages,- means to connect the motor independentlywith the high and low voltagesupply mains, means to reversethemotor, means operable manually from the car to control the reversing means to efi'ect operation of the motor to raise or lower the car, and means operable automatically to control the first named means to connect the motor with the low voltage mains and efi'ect operation of the car to raise or lower it level with a landin 12. In an eIectricelevator, the combination with the car, an electric hoisting motor, a starting resistance in the circuit of the motor armature, supply mains from an outside source delivering a relatively hi h voltage, a dynamotor to generate a relatively low voltage, and means to connect the hoisting motor independently with the outside and d namoto'rsupply mains.

' 13. 11 an electric elevator, the combination withthe car, an electric hoisting motor, a starting resistance. in the circuit of the motor armature, supply mains from an outside source delivering a relatively high voltage, a dynamotor to generatea relativel low and means to connect the hoisting motor independently with the .high and low voltage sources of suppl to effect operation of themotor to raise or ower the car.

'14. In an electric elevator, the combination with the car, an electric hoisting motor, a starting resistance in the circuit of the motor armature, sup ly mains delivering "a relatively high vo tage, supplementary mains supplying a relatively low voltage generated by a dynamotor, an automatic push button system of'circuits and apparatusto connect the motor with the igh" I voltage mains, and means independent of the push button apparatus to connect the motor independently with the low voltage mams.

15; In an electric elevator, the combination with the car, an electric motor to op? erate the car, su ply mains delivering a relativel high vo tage,- supplementary mains supp ying a relatively low voltage nerated vby a dynamotor, an automat1c pus button s tem of circuits and apparatus to connect t ehoisting motor with the high voltage mains to control the car in ascending and descending, and automatically operable means to connect the motor independently with the low volta mains and efiect operationof the motor independently of the push button a paratus, to raise or lower the car level wit a landing. a r A v 16. In an electric elevator, the combination with the car, an electric motor to operate the car, supply mains delivering a relatively high voltage, supplementary mains supplying a relatively low voltage nerated by a dynamotor, manually control ed means to connect the electric motor with the high voltage mains and to control the car to ascend or descend, and means comprising a cam and co-acting switch operable automatically t connect the motor independently with the low voltage supply mains and effect operation of the motor to raise or lower the car level with a landing.

' and means controllable automatically by the car over-running orunder-running-a desired landing to connect the motor with the low voltage supply mains.

19. In an electric elevator the combination with the car, an electric hoisting motor therefor, relatively high voltage supply mains, relatively low v0 tage supply mains, and means operable automatically by the car over-running or under-running a .desired landing to connect the motor with the low voltage supply mains, and disconnect the motor from the said low voltage mains when the car platform is level with the said landin I k 20. fn an electric elevator, the combination with the car, an electric hoisting: motor therefor, relatively hi h voltage supply mains, relatively low vo tagev supply mains, and means controllable automatically by the car as it approaches a desired landing-to disconnect the motor from the high voltage mains and connect it to the low voltage mains, said means disconnectin the motor from the low volta e mains w en the car platform is level with the landing, and in the event of the car over-running the landing, connecting-the motor to the low volta mains and reversing the motor to bring tfi: car back to a level with the landing. v

'21. In an electric elevator, the combination with the car,- an electric hoisting motor therefor, main and supplementary sources of current supply, said sup ementary source ofsupply being supplied 'rom a generator, the motor end of which receives current supply from the said. main source, a change-over switch operable for one position to connect the motor at start with the main source of supply, and means to efiect operation of the'motor from start by op-- voltage source, the motor generator forming In testimony whereof I have signed my a source of supply for the armature of the name to this specification in the presence of l0\ hoisting motor, and the said field winding two subscribing witnesses.

receiving its. supply from the high voltage ERNEST ,GALE SR source, a resistance, and means for automatically inserting the resistance in the mo- Witnesses:

tor circuit when-changing from the higher SOHUYLER PHILLIPS,

to the lower voltage sources of supply. EDWARD H. STEELE. 

